Qualifying Offer For Free Agents Reportedly Increases

Joel Sherman of the NY Post hears that the qualifying offer for pending free agents will increase this year to $14.1 M, up from $13.3 M.

https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/388700856473759744

If you're unfamiliar with the process, teams can issue a qualifying offer to a player who is about to become a free agent. If the player accepts, he gets that price. If he declines and signs with another team, then the former team gets a compensation pick after the first round, while the signing team loses their first round pick.

This is relevant to the Pirates with A.J. Burnett eligible for free agency. If the Pirates make him a qualifying offer, then they can either get him back for the reported $14.1 M, or they could get draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. The only way the Pirates don't benefit in that scenario is if Burnett decides to retire....

Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim lives in Bradenton, where he provides live coverage all year of Spring Training, mini camp, instructs, the Bradenton Marauders, and the GCL Pirates.